There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build . . . ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
Something I've never looked forward to is the semi-annual time change that plagues our calendars, and disrupts our natural Circadian rhythms. It used to be that I could live with the "fall back" part of the time cycle; it allowed me to get up earlier without feeling tired and out-of-sorts. However, this past fall-back experience didn't make a positive difference. If anything, it upset my natural rhythms more than ever before.
With that being said, you can just imagine what this latest "spring-forward" experience has done for me. My rhythms weren't at all interested in adjusting to the new time, no matter what my clock said. The morning rain did little to help in compelling me to leave the warm cocoon of my covers, even when the digital numbers scolded me about laying in bed until 9:00, the "new" 8:00.
Every time I attempted to rouse myself, I felt the stupor of sound sleep encroaching once again, much to my chagrin.
Long story short, I finally managed to abandon the bed and embark, quite reluctantly, upon the new day.
This, I decide, is going to take a concerted effort on my part over the next week or so, in order to reclaim my much valued and treasured morning time. I know my body can, and will, finally adjust, but I'm not looking forward to the process. I can't help but envision continuing naps in my future, as the ones I currently take are not enough.
I'm left wondering, too, if my body's revolt against falsely imposed rhythms is exacerbated by my age. If so, it certainly confirms that as we get older, we become more entrenched in our ways and habits. Makes me question, too, how many more tricks this old dog can learn!
However, with our daughter, son-in-law and the girls coming to visit us over spring break, which is about a month away, I'm determined to acclimate a decent, workable daily schedule. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is! It will be worth any amount of sleep deprivation just to have them here, and on the week before Easter, no less. Yes, this Gammie is already planning fun and memorable activities for all of us to enjoy.
Not the least of which is staying awake to enjoy every moment!
And I'm trusting God to make it all happen in His good time.
Amen!
thecontemplativecat@blogpost.com here. Blogger and Google are not allowing me to post. I really hate the time change. At one point, the voters in CA voted on eliminating the time change. Where did it go?
ReplyDeleteI will certainly check out your website, Cat, and I'm glad you stopped by today. We keep hearing all the promises to do away with the time change, but nothing ever comes of it. Makes you realize that politicians are great at making promises, and lousy at keeping them. Glad I'm not alone for my dislike of the time changes.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How exciting that you grandloves and their parents are coming to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if Tom is experiencing the same challenges with the time change as what you cite, Martha. I'm wondering if you've noticed any benefits to the new (generic) supplements you wrote about recently?
The hair product? Yes! Not so sure about the would-be Balance of Nature; I don't feel any worse, but better? I have one more order coming in; if after that I don't feel a truly positive effect, I'll either suck it up and go with the "real thing," or quit altogether. And yes, as you can tell, we are already excited about the upcoming visit. I'm looking forward to going shopping for Easter goodies for the girls!
DeleteTell Tom I know exactly how he feels. :)
Love and blessings!
Oh, I am so HAPPY for you that your family will be coming next month for Spring Break! I am quite certain you will be more than ready for them. Praying God will infuse you with His strength and energy and restore you to good health and comfort. I have also had a difficult time waking up these past few mornings. And I have also taken extra long naps. And you are right about the dark rainy morning making it even more difficult to arise and shine! but little by little I will adapt...it does take longer than it did when I was younger. I keep hoping they will finally decide to stop doing this every six months and keep it one way or the other for good. I think the farmers will appreciate it as well!! And the cows. Have a blessed week. Love to you and prayers for you!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know the farmers would appreciate keeping the same hours for sure, Pamela! When cows need to be milked, they could care less what the clock says.
DeleteAnd thanks for sharing in my excitement about the impending visit. I'm praying that the Lord will grant me all the strength and energy I need to not just survive the visit, but to thrive. Enjoy those naps!
Love and blessings!
How exciting to have your family coming to visit soon. Oh yes, those grands can surely excite us to new endeavors! Oh girl, it seems it takes me several months to get used to a new time change anymore. Not so much since I am retired but when I was working...Oh My! My labor pains cried out for more rest! Praying for your strength to build daily. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteIt is easier to endure the time change when we're retired, Cindy; working certainly didn't help in my adjustment, but being younger did. I can remember two days into the time change, I was already fit and ready to go.
DeleteYes, we will be so happy to have our grands here next month. We haven't seen them since October, and that was only for a weekend as we were passing through.
Love and blessings!
I grew up near Pittsburgh so I have always been "involved" in the time change. I have always lived where the time change happened so I take it as is. Saturday night I went to bed at...get ready for this...8:00 since I normally go to bed at 9:00 so I can get up at 3:30. Surprisingly I did pretty well. Studied. Preached two services. Visited at the funeral home. Worked at the office. Had small group. I went to bed at 9:00. But I'm tired just typing that. LOL I think you have the proper motivation to bounce back (or is that up?). Seeing the girls would be all that is needed.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the girls is the perfect antidote to feeling lethargic, Bill, I agree. And I'm really impressed by the busy schedule you were able to keep on Sunday - Wow! Lots to be said about the positive motivation God can give us when we need it. I might have been better served had I gone to bed at 8:00, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your daughter and her family will be a wonderful visit and I'm sure that you will be fine. My wife has the same problem and it takes her a while to get used to the change. Our time change happens the last weekend of this month. I really wish this procedure would be abolished. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I didn't think you all had time changes over in Ireland, Bill. Now I know! Yes, we are so looking forward to their visit. I just did some "Easter" shopping in preparation for their time with us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I heard the US is thinking of getting rid of the time change and staying with DST.
ReplyDeleteWe hear that every year, Christine, and then it fizzles into nothing. I still have hope, though!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is thecontemplativecat@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOne California vote, was to keep with one time zone. It was unanimous.
I appreciated your post very much.
Good for California! It's nice to hear good news coming out of that state once in a while. Glad you enjoyed the post; I enjoyed yours, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteVery hard to imagine that you had/have a hard time dealing with only one hour time difference...🙄
It all is a matter of attitude and will power!
How in the world did both of us ever travel all over the world and adjust to differences of up to 14 hours and 12 hours every time we went back to work and live in Indonesia?! And we were NOT going on vacation but to work.
Right now, having been deprived from most of my sleep due to pain and awkwardness with that stupid knee immobilizer, having to elevate my legs and being forced to sleep on my back—still I survive.
If not able to sleep I come here to read your post... haha!
Pull yourself together and just DO it. The 'D' from Discipline steps in and that's all it takes.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Mariette
I am determined to overcome the time change, Mariette. Honestly, I don't think I could have ever been as resilient as you were with all your worldly travels. I guess it's more proof that God made us all different!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha Jane, it was JUST our commute to work! No travel or vacation...
DeleteOut spring break is this week here in Texas Ms. Martha Jane. I can't say that I mind this time change, as it does give me more daylight each evening to get more chores done around the ranch more easily and safely (it helps to see what all that's going on around you sometimes). I recognize that a great many no longer farm or have outside chores, but for those of us who do, it works well. Sounds like you guys are planning a wonderful time with upcoming family visits. Praying everyone's health and happiness leading up to and through the event. God's blessings, and I hope you find your rhythm soon my friend.
ReplyDeleteI sure can understand why farmers and ranchers look forward to having more daylight, J. D. That makes perfect sense! I think if the U.S. decides to not switch times, the vote will be to keep the Daylight Savings Time. I think, especially after hearing your experiences, that is the best choice.
DeleteThanks, too, for your prayers for our continued good health so that we can truly enjoy the upcoming visit.
Love and blessings!
Hi Martha Jane, I feel exactly the same regarding what you have said about the 'time change'. I actually do not rely upon clocks to tell me what and when to do, and I would welcome doing away with it. I understand how it is good for many people though, as your last commenter says. God bless you as you look forward to your family visiting.
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't for having to keep doctors' appointments and such, I'd probably be better off not paying attention to our clocks, either - lol! I used to think napping was a waste of time when I was younger, but now I so appreciate those short respites during the day. Gives me the energy to keep going!
DeleteThanks for keeping me in prayer as the visit approaches.
Love and blessings!
Oh, I love your honesty! God will make it happen indeed, if we do what we can do. I get up early (6:30 or so), often to take an hour walk before starting my day. I ride my bicycle to work, so I do get a lot of exercise :) which I need as I feel the weight of getting older on my shoulders from time to time.
ReplyDeleteGood for you getting so much exercise in, Marja! Except for my PT, I've been a bit lax about my exercise lately. Think Covid! I'm so much better now, and I seem to already be adjusting to the new time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
The thing is ... I have a solution to all this, and I have written to the authorities that change the clocks backwards and forwards. They've ignored me.
ReplyDeleteInstead of moving the clocks one hour backwards and forwards every six months they should instead move a day backwards and forwards: e.g. on a set day Monday becomes Tuesday and then six months later they move it back again. This will not affect our natural rhythm and the hourly clocks need only be changed an hour each way once every 24 years.
Think about it. It works. Guess I'll be ignored for 24 years then they'll know I am right.
God bless.
What an ingenious idea, Victor! No, I don't think the government will go for that, but it makes better sense than an hour here and an hour there.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha Jane: Until this year, I thought that I was the only one affected by the time change. Add to the mix that I take a medication that causes sleeplessness and tiredness. I have started taking a sleep aid, after trying one that didn't work. The rain and gray skies seem to add to the issue. My present sleep aid works most of the time. At least now I seem to be able to get to sleep long before daylight. Our son is coming in this Saturday for most of the weekend, I do need this week to TRY to get my house cleaned up. Enjoy your family time. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that your son will be visiting you soon, Cecelia! There's nothing better than seeing family. As for sleeping, I'm so sorry to hear you've had so many problems with that. I do take a small dose of melatonin before going to sleep, and that really helps me to stay asleep. It's the reluctance to get up that has worried me. Things are looking up!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Have a lovely day. Regine
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Along with the farmers that Pamela mentioned above, parents of babies and toddlers would appreciate not having to deal with the biannual time change either. I've often wished the powers-that-be in all nations who change their clocks each fall and spring would decide to split the difference of that one hour and give a half-hour of light in the evening to summers, and a half-hour of extra light to winters, and then leave the clocks alone!
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, I really like that idea! Yes, the infants and toddlers can be problematic, that's for sure. It's been so long that I'd almost forgotten. I think the grands are pretty flexible at their ages now. As I mentioned, when I was younger, the time change never affected me negatively. Here's hoping I adjust sooner than later!
DeleteLove and blessings!
That hour of sleep deficit certainly makes me feel more sluggish, too, Martha. I hope you get a lot of rest before your company comes! I am so happy for you! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy, too, Trudy, and actually got out to do a bit of Easter shopping for the girls this afternoon. On top of that, I only needed a brief nap today. That's a big improvement! I certainly am keeping my hopes up.
DeleteLove and blessings!
To quote you, "my body's revolt against falsely imposed rhythms is exacerbated by my age," -- for being so very tired, your mind is still very capable of constructing an interesting sentence! I am impressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, Barbara. I'm sure I wrote that when feeling fully rested - lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You certainly spoke for lots of us with your delightful Daylight Saving Time lament, Martha, especially those whose pile of birthdays is getting ridiculously ponderous. I don't know how much age has to do with it, but monkeying with the clocks is just one more piece of frustration I don't want to have to deal with. About half of our timepieces are programmed to make the adjustment on their own, but I have to manually deal with the others, and they all have a different procedure to reset them.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to tell you, dear friend, it could be worse. My wife got the date wrong this year and we went through the whole process a week ahead of time. We changed all the clocks, adjusted our routine, dragged out of bed early, and were getting ourselves ready for church before we discovered our mistake. Doing it once is irritating, but doing it two weeks in a row should qualify as some kind of chronological assault on my freedom to sleep. If the morons in San Francisco can contemplate giving $5 million in reparations for those claiming to be descendants of slaves, I should get enough for dinner at Chic-Fil-A for being held in bondage by a clock mandate against my will.
Oh, no, Ron!!! I hate to hear that you and your wife got to go through this twice! Once, as we both know, is bad enough. Sounds like you both will survive, though, and that's the good news. :)
DeleteHoping beyond hope that the time change will finally be abolished this year. Let's just stick to good ol' Daylight Savings Time!
Love and blessings!
My wife is 100 percent with you! Takes her weeks to adjust. Takes me a few days, but I'm coming to the opinion that it's better done away with.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know Janet is in my corner, Glynn, although I don't wish the hard adjustment on anyone! I'm with you, too, about doing away with the whole business. As J. D. mentioned above, it wreaks havoc with livestock and Daylight Savings Time is so much more helpful to farmers and ranchers. Maybe the feds will leave it alone for a change!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I agree wholeheartedly. The time change, especially when we spring forward and lose an hour, is tough to acclimate for me and most people. I shared something I heard on the radio with my daughter for the grandkids. Start 4 days before the time change and put the kids in the bed 15 minutes earlier than normal bedtime the first night, then 30 minutes earlier the second night, 45 minutes the third night, until you get to an hour the night of the time change. It's good for adults too! Glad the kids are coming to visit you!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Karen, I sure wish I'd heard that suggestion so I could have shared it with my daughter before the time change actually happened. I will let her know about it for future reference, especially if the girls have had a rough adjustment.
DeleteYes, I'm so glad the kids are coming to visit, too. When are you going to feature some or all of your grands on Fridays Forever?
Love and blessings!
While I didn't have any problems falling back last November, this springing forward thing was a little bit harder than usual this year. I don't know why. Have fun with your family!
ReplyDeleteSome years it's harder than others to adjust, Jennifer. I will be leaving here to go check out your blog!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is Susan from thecontemplativecat@blogspot.com Google and Blogspot are messing with my account, I hope this gets there. Thank you, thank you, for this post. Spring forward? It messes with the head and body. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteGood news, Susan, your comment arrived! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post here, and that you can identify with those sluggish moments in the wake of the time change.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Yep, I'm with you, Martha. I didn't know if I was coming or going for a couple of days. I felt like a toddler again.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great image to use when describing this phenomena, Linda! I'm surprised, actually, that I'm making the adjustments more easily than I imagined. May that keep going!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Olá Marta
ReplyDeleteAproveite a família que chegará em breve para passear, são momentos únicos e que você possa se adaptar ao novo horário, um forte abraço.
I'm counting on adapting, Lucinalva. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
It's been harder for me to acclimate to Daylight Savings Time this year too. But we'll get there! :)
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how confusing a time change would be. Glad we don't have to deal with that in my corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Martha.